The news was full of the story of the Princes accident and the press office at Buckingham Palace was kept busy all through the night as well as the next day. When Arthur and Morgana arrived at the hospital next morning it was to find the press camped outside in great numbers. Declining to comment they made their way in where they were greeted by the Consultant.

"The Prince has had a satisfactory night Your Majesty, we intend to move him later today. I you follow me I will take you to see him"

The walked into the Intensive Care ward and saw Merlin in one of the beds. His hair had been shaved in places and he looked pale and somehow lost. Morgana rushed up to his side and took his good hand carefully, making sure to take care with the venflon in his arm, he was on intravenous drugs and fluids but at least he wasn't on a ventilator. Merlin opened his eyes as she touched him. The nurse stayed discreetly in the background.

"Good morning Merlin, how are you feeling?" she asked him

Merlin looked at her, he seemed to be not quite there to her "Lo" came to quiet reply "Where, what"

"You're in hospital Merlin, just rest you will be fine, you had an accident" Morgana explained to him, she looked round at the doctors.

"The Prince hasn't been awake long and he had several drugs in his system but we are pleased with his progress, after he has been awake a bit longer he should be able to talk to your more coherently" He reassured her.

Arthur was also by Merlin's side and smiled down at his brother "Hi, take it easy we will be here with you, just rest"

Merlin closed his eyes and went back to sleep but his fingers were still clutching Morganas. The two older royals were given chairs and sat down to keep vigil on their brother. It was a good hour before he opened his eyes again this time he was more aware of his surroundings and seemed to be very anxious. He looked at Arthur

"Sorry been bad" he was reverting back to the speech he had been using when he was rescued. They had both noticed he did that when under stress.

Arthur shook his head "No you haven't Merlin, it wasn't your fault. But never, never go anywhere without Gwaine, Elyan or one of the protection officers. They will keep you safe"

Merlin looked at his brother and frowned "Went with Mordred, he said we had to go"

"Don't worry Merlin, but be careful in future please" Arthur squeezed his brothers hand. "I want you to be safe and looked after so you don't get frightened or hurt."

Again Merlin frowned as if puzzled by something, eventually he said "Mordred said I was fucking boring and needed to get a life, what did he mean?" Merlin paused he looked upset.

Arthur took a deep breath and heard Morgana hiss in the background "Merlin he was wrong, you weren't safe and you are not boring and you are getting a life, but you need to take it slowly so you don't get frightened." Arthur would try to sort out the swearing later but didn't think now was the time, clearly Merlin had been pressurised into leaving the palace. "Merlin you know we love you and will help you, if you want to do anything just ask us ok? We will arrange it safely for you."

Merlin drifted back to sleep. After another hour Arthur left to go back to the Palace he wanted to stay with his brother but he had meetings he had to attend. Morgana walked with his to the door, she would stay for a bit longer before she would also have to leave.

"Are we doing right by Merlin Morgana? Are we restricting him to much?" Arthur asked clearly torn.

"Yes we are, we are doing what the professionals advise us. Taking Merlin into uncontrolled crowds was not right. Merlin has come on so well, we have sixteen years of isolation to overcome. Don't doubt yourself, Mordred was thinking of himself not Merlin and you know it" Morgana kissed her brothers cheek "He will get there, he might never be able to face lots strangers without fear but we will make sure he has a good life."

Arthur hugged his sister "Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you"

"Be hopeless and you know it!" Morgana laughed "Go on off you go and see the Prime Minister and try to look interested"

After Morgana had left to go to on opening of a new children's wing at a local hospital Gwaine sat by Merlin. By mid-afternoon as promised they moved Merlin back to his room from Intensive care. He would still have a nurse there all the time but at least Aithusa could go and see him. She was brought from the Palace by Elyan and took to Merlin's bedside, she wasn't allowed on his bed and as Merlin was still only allow to lie flat he couldn't see her very well but he could touch her head with his good arm. It seemed to settle him.

Merlin was more talkative by late afternoon and started to ask Gwaine questions about what happened. He was in pain from his broken ribs and bruised shoulder, he also couldn't understand the plaster on his arm.

"When Mordred took you to London you didn't like the crowds and you had a seizure" Gwaine looked at Merlin with sympathy, Arthur had told Gwaine if Merlin asked he was to be told the truth "You fell backwards and got hit by a car, that's why your ribs hurt and your shoulder and you broke your arm. You also hurt your head and that's why you can't sit up yet." He squeezed Merlin's good hand.

Merlin turned his head and looked Gwaine straight in the eye "I was naughty, I shouldn't have gone" Merlin's voice was sad and downhearted he looked as if he was going to cry.

Gwaine's heart ached for the young man who had been through so much, he might be an adult in years, but in understanding he was still very much a child in many ways, even if he had been through more than most. "Merlin you didn't know, Mordred did and he should have done what he did. He knew you shouldn't have gone out without one of us to keep the crowds away." He paused "What's do is done all you need to do now is get better"

The nurses came in and helped Merlin onto his side, this made him happier as he could see Aithusa and he could stroke her. When his meal came it was food he could eat lying down and with encouragement from Gwaine he managed half of it but he hated having to eat in such an awkward position. He had just finished when Arthur and Morgana came back. So Gwaine went and stood outside the door.

It was three days before Merlin was allowed to sit up and another day before he was allowed to try to stand. His fractured ribs caused him a great deal of pain but he managed it and was soon walking around his room with someone holding his arm. He was feeling better now he could sit out and make a fuss of Aithusa, who seemed to know that he couldn't have her jumping up as normal.

He was still in hospital when the news broke from America where Mordred had been on an interview with one of the major chat shows. When Arthur found out he was seething and immediately pulled out all stops to get any repeats shown or segments of the interview broadcast. Mordred had flown to the States and been interviewed and gave away personal details of Merlin, he must have been pumping Merlin for information about his captivity. He also had a couple of Merlin's drawings of his rescue that were shown, as well as a large section of photos and videos he had taken on his phone.

An injunction was gained to stop them being shown on UK television but of course with the internet it didn't stop everything. The breach of privacy and its fall out was massive. Morgana had never seen her brother so mad about anything, he also blamed himself for introducing the pair. Mordred's father the Duke off Essetir, tried to distance himself from the whole thing saying he disapproved of his sons actions.

Merlin was questioned gently by the police and it seemed that Mordred had stolen the drawings as well as filmed Merlin without his consent, he had also signed a disclosure agreement with the Palace so steps were taken to get him extradited and arrested to theft and breach of security agreements. Arthur and Morgana were determined to make Mordred pay for what he had done. Of course the story broke in the UK and interest in Merlin increased to an all-time high. Including details of Merlin's accident in light of the new revelations. Mordred hadn't told the entire truth, as he had not told the Americans that he has taken Merlin form the Palace without the knowledge of security or his family. But he did say that they had blamed him for the accident and that Arthur had assaulted him.